4 Ways to Keep Christmas Focused on Christ

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and we’re all busy to prove it!  How can we keep Christmas focused on Christ this year?

Over the past few weeks, there has been a recurring thought in my mind; a couple of words keep being whispered in my heart and head.

“Make room.”

The gentle nudge to clear out the old to make room for the new is becoming part of almost every day, opening my eyes to places that need space and people who might need to fill it.

My calendar, filled with practices and parties and places to go, is like a neon sign blinking bright the message to make room.

Our cluttered closets challenge me to face the tedious task of organizing and downsizing.

And then there’s Bible study.

It reminds me of the fact that I might very well miss the meaning of Christmas if I don’t make room for Christ.

How easy it might be to become the inn keeper who sent the Savior away.

He did the best he could, right?  That night he offered what he had on hand and kept the Lord close by.

But he didn’t make room for him.

And while he slept, the Savior of the world was born in the midst of his animals instead of in his home.

Shepherds were invited to worship while the inn keeper’s family missed out.

And, if I don’t make room for Christ this Christmas, my family will miss out, too.

They’ll still get presents.  We’ll all eat cookies.

But the joy of Christmas will be limited because the source of that joy is pushed to the peripheral.  He’ll be on the outskirts of our hearts and homes just like he was on the outskirts of Bethlehem that night.

The miracles will still happen, but we might just miss them.

And, I don’t want to!

How Can We Keep Christmas Focused on Christ?

First, we have to start at the beginning.  We must be sure our kids know what Christmas is really about.  And, we need to be sure we remember.

Whether your family does Santa Claus or not doesn’t much matter to me.  I think it’s one of those things that people just decide for themselves.

But regardless of whether your kids believe in Santa Claus, they need to be clear upon the fact that Christmas is not about Santa Claus coming.  It’s about Christ.

Christmas is a time to look back and celebrate his birth and to look forward and await his return.

Doing Daily Christmas Devotions as a family is a great way to keep their little hearts (and your grown-up one) focused on Christ this Christmas.  This guide is designed to lead your little ones in worship.

Mama’s Heart Shapes the Home

Here’s the thing:  if you don’t make room for Christ in your heart, there won’t be room for him in your home.

We are women of influence, you know.  That’s why people say, “If Mama’s not happy, nobody’s happy.”

So, how are you going to make room for him this year?

May I suggest you follow along with Dani at LivingFreeIndeed?  She’s hosting 25 Days of Christmas Devotionals by 25 different Christian bloggers this year.  The devotions start with prophecy about the coming Christ and work their way through to the promise of his return.

I think you’ll be amazed at how just making room to read one of these devotions a day will open your heart to Him this Christmas.

Open Your Heart and Your Home

I’ll be honest.  I love having people over, but I often look for every opportunity not to do it.

My kitchen needs remodeling.  These floors!  That paint!

Our house needs painting and landscaping and….

The laundry needs folding.

I don’t have time.

Our funds are low.

The list goes on and on.  Endless excuses not to open the door and simply say, “Welcome.”

But, if we want to really experience the joy of Christ this season, I think we have to make room for hospitality, just like I bet that inn keep wished he’d made room for Christ.

Because we never know if that’s what we’re really doing, do we?

Do you think he had any idea the pregnant girl he turned away was the mother of God?  Of course not!  He just didn’t make room so he could find out.

When we open our homes and hearts to people, we never know what God might be doing, the relationships he might be forming, the blessings he might be getting ready to pour into our lives and theirs.

Don’t miss it because of dirty dishes.

Just open the door, pour the coffee and see what God has in store.

Don’t Forget the Giving

In this season of getting, don’t forget the giving.  It’s one of the simplest ways to keep Christmas focused on Christ.

After all, Christmas started with a gift, didn’t it?

It’s easy to get overwhelmed this time of year with all the requests for support and donations, but don’t let that convince you that you’re all given out.

You don’t even have to spend money to give to others.  You know that, right?

Perhaps there’s a family who would benefit from the jeans your son outgrew.  Maybe your chickens are laying more eggs than you can eat, and you have a friend you could pass the surplus to.

Maybe you make this delicious pumpkin bread and, after eating one loaf for breakfast, you and the kids deliver the other two to someone in need.

Maybe as you make room in your cluttered house you let go of good things you simply don’t need by giving them to someone who actually does.

All the while, remember that you’re following the example of the one who gave his very life for you.

And, if that doesn’t keep Christmas focused on Christ, I don’t know what will!

In the comments, I’d love to hear any practical suggestions or family traditions you use to keep Christmas focused on Christ.  I’d also really love to see your best Christmas posts in this week’s Encouraging Word Wednesday linkup!